Chapter: Something Falling into a Well and Changing the Taste of the Water
• Ahmad was asked—another time—about something falling into a well and changing the taste of the water. He said: "The prayers must be repeated, and the food which is kneaded with that water must not be eaten."
• I asked Ishaq, saying: A well containing a small amount of water, less than two qullat, into which a mouse fell and died? He said: "Whatever is less than two qullat, it carries impurity." I said: Should the prayers be repeated and the clothes washed? He said: "Yes."
Chapter: Ablution with a Small Amount of Water in the Desert, or Bathhouse Water
• Abu 'Abd Allah Ahmad ibn Hanbal was asked about a man who sees water in the desert and it is little, and he does not have with him anything to scoop it with; should he take it with his mouth and wash his hands if they were not pure? He said: "Yes, if he is compelled to do so." It was said: And likewise the bathhouse? He said: "Yes."
• I asked Ishaq ibn Ibrahim about a small amount of rainwater? He said: "He should raise it from its place, or put his cheek to that water, but he should not perform ablution in it [by dipping his limbs into it]."
Chapter: Ablution with Water Whose Taste or Odor Has Changed
• Ahmad was asked—while I was listening—about water if its taste and odor have changed, for that is the taste and odor of a dead animal, so it is not lawful. He said: "It is an evident matter."
(1) Perhaps the correct term is "al-jabbana," meaning the desert/open land—as previously mentioned (p. 95). (2) I have not found a clear meaning for it. (3) Thus it appears in the original, and it contains an omission due to skipping lines (in the manuscript), and textual corruption. The complete issue, as stated correctly, is as Ibn Qudama recorded it in al-Mughni (1/38-39): Harb said: Ahmad was asked about water if its taste or odor changes? He said: "Do not perform ablution with it, and do not drink it. There is no specific hadith regarding it, but Allah—the Exalted—has forbidden the dead animal; so if a dead animal ends up in the water and its taste or odor changes, then that is the taste and odor of the dead animal, so it is not lawful for him, and that is an evident matter."
